Shreyas Iyer's Century Leads Punjab Kings to Victory Over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026

Iyer's Match-Winning Performance

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India] - On Saturday night at the Ekana Stadium, Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer celebrated a thrilling seven-wicket victory against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2026, thanks to his remarkable unbeaten century.

After the match, Iyer, who was named Player of the Match, expressed his joy, noting that this win was particularly significant following a challenging streak of six consecutive losses. His outstanding performance also marked the milestone of 7000 runs in T20 cricket.

“I’m ecstatic; it’s my first hundred of the season, and we finally secured a win after those six defeats. Let’s support MI tomorrow,” Iyer remarked.

Reflecting on the game, Iyer commended his bowling team for their resilience after a shaky start, stating, “I’m thrilled with the bowling effort after conceding 16 runs in the first over. Omarzai bowled exceptionally well... Momentum is key in such situations. Chahal took a vital wicket of Pant, showcasing his character after a tough previous match,” he added.

Discussing his batting strategy, Iyer highlighted the importance of patience and timing during a high-pressure chase. “I understand that if I take my time in the middle and focus on timing the ball rather than forcing it, I can stay out there longer,” he explained.

The PBKS captain also praised opener Prabhsimran Singh for his composure and their effective partnership at the top of the order. “Prabhsimran was mentally sharp, and our communication was excellent... It felt surreal to finish the game with a century; I was in a great mindset and felt fantastic. Our partnership was crucial in building momentum,” Iyer noted.

He further shared that the team opted for a straightforward approach in their preparation, fostering a relaxed atmosphere. “We kept things simple instead of holding a meeting that could pressure the players. A free-flowing mindset is essential in critical matches; I told Ponting we didn’t need a team meeting,” he added.

In the match, Punjab Kings showcased a strong all-around performance, successfully chasing down a target of 197 runs to defeat Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets.

Shreyas Iyer led the charge with an impressive maiden IPL century, scoring 101 runs off 51 balls, while Prabhsimran Singh contributed a solid 69 runs off 39 balls, propelling PBKS to a commanding finish and elevating the team to fourth place in the standings with 15 points.

Earlier, LSG had set a target of 196/6, bolstered by a strong innings from Josh Inglis (72 off 44) and a quick 37 from Abdul Samad, despite consistent breakthroughs from Punjab bowlers like Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen. However, their total fell short as PBKS comfortably surpassed the target with an over to spare.